PAGE 2 THE EXPONENT, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018

How to prepare for an out-of-town breakdown

Some advance preparation can help drivers avert out-

of-town disasters.

How to avoid and repair flat tires

Road trips make for excel-lent getaways. Whether you’re embarking on a weekend excursion or a lengthy vaca-tion, driving yourself to your destination is a great way to travel, especially for families looking to save money. Though no one wants to think about the possibility of a vehicle breakdown while out of town, such things do happen. How prepared drivers are can go a long way toward determining how af-fected they and their passen-gers will be if this happens.

•Getacheckupbeforeskipping town. It sounds simple, but many drivers may overlook the importance of vehicle checkups before de-parting on weekend getaways or longer trips. A full checkup (including an oil change if the recommended interval has passed or is approaching) can uncover any problems that might derail a trip. •Examineyouroptionsinregard to emergency roadside assistance. Insurance provid-ers typically offer emergency roadside assistance to policy holders for a nominal fee, and memberships in clubs such as AAA also are inexpensive. That’s especially true when drivers compare the cost of extra coverage or AAA mem-bership to the potential price tag of a tow truck and out-of-town repairs. Drivers should note that out-of-town repairs may require costly overnight shipping of parts so travelers can get back on the road as quickly as possible. Roadside

assistance offered through an insurance company or motor club may include tow trucks free of charge up to a certain number of miles, allowing travelers to get their cars back home without breaking the bank. •Inspecttires,includingyour spare. Many a road trip has been derailed or thrown off schedule due to a flat tire or tires. Before departing, check the condition of your existing tires, including the spare, as well as the air pres-sure in each one. Firestone notes that many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tires at six years, regardless of tread wear. Tires that get heavy usage should be replaced even more fre-quently. To determine if tread wear is something to worry about, Firestone recommends the penny test, which involves placing a penny head first into several tread grooves across the tire. If the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head is always visible, then your tires are shallow and worn

and need to be replaced. But if part of Lincoln’s head is always covered, your tires can probably withstand the trip. Worn tire treads can make it hard for tires to safely navigate roads in inclement weather, so don’t discount the importance of this simple step. •Bringalongsomebasic tools. Pack some basic tools, such as screw drivers, wrenches, pliers, a trolley jack, a battery charger, and, of course, duct tape, which may help you temporarily solve some issues on your own. This is especially important for drivers who intend to visit remote locations where mo-bile phone networks may be inaccessible and the nearest tow truck might be far away. Hone your tire-changing skills before hitting the road and make sure tools are still capable of performing the kind of basic maintenance that might help your vehicle safely return to civilization.Vehicle breakdowns happen, even while on vacation.

Nothing can delay road trips more sud-denly than flat tires. Unfortunately, because tires are the only part of the vehicle constant-ly in contact with the road, wear and tear is to be expected. The National Highway Traffic Safety Ad-ministration says that flat tires and blowouts are a leading cause of highway traffic acci-dents.Eventhoughflatscannotbeprevented,there are ways to make tires less vulnerable and make vehicles safer along the way.

Flat tire avoidance Routine inspection and tire maintenance is essential to their performance. In addition, paying attention to road hazards and avoid-ing them when possible can prolong the life of tires. •Tirepressure:Tiresshouldbemain-tained at the correct air pressure indicated on the sidewall or as advised by the manufactur-er. Tires with too much air can be damaged by bumpy roads and potholes. Tires that are not inflated enough may increase friction on the roadway, resulting in a blowout. Check tire pressure routinely, and do so when the tires have rested for three hours. Many vehicles now monitor tire pressure automati-cally and alert drivers through a signal on the dashboard. •Tirewear:TheadvisorsatSelectAutoImports say that inspecting tires for uneven wear should be a routine part of mainte-nance. If tires show uneven wear, they may be more susceptible to flats or blowouts. Tire rotations can help alleviate uneven wear. The NHTSA recommends tires be rotated every 5,000 miles.

•Tiretreads:TheAllstateInsurancecompany says to look for worn tire treads. Check for wear bar indicator marks located between the tread pattern of the tires. If the wear bar is level with the treads, it’s time for new tires. Otherwise, place a quarter between the grooves of the tire. If the tread doesn’t extend beyond the top of Washington’s head, it’s a good idea to replace the tires. •Constructionsites:Driversshouldtrytoavoid areas under construction. Rocks, nails, metal shards, glass, and divots in the roads can cause punctures and eventually flats.

Flat tire repair When flats occur, having the right tools and understanding the procedure for fixing the flat is key. Drivers will need an inflated spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, bracing material (to keep the vehicle from rolling, such as a brick or piece of wood), and the vehicle’s owner’s manual.Goodyearsaysitisessentialtofixthe flat in a safe area away from traffic and on a flat surface. •Usetheowner’smanualtofindthecor-rect position to place the jack to lift the car. •Removehubcapsorcentercoverstoac-cess the lug nuts. With the lug wrench, loosen lug nuts in a counterclockwise direction. •Takeoffthetireandputonthespare.Replace and tighten the lug nuts. Replace hubcaps or covers. •Slowlylowerthevehicleanddrivecautiously to ensure the spare is in working order. •Purchaseanewtireorhaveaholeplugged or repaired at a tire center.

THE EXPONENT, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018, PAGE 3

Vehicle owners likely know to check fluid levels and get their cars’ oil changed, but air filters may not be at the top of their mainte-nance checklists. Despite being a relatively inexpensive part, air filters often go over-looked. Air filters have an important job in a vehicle, prolonging the life span of engines and helping cars run more smoothly and ef-ficiently.

Purpose of vehicle air filters

Vehicle combustion engines operate with a mixture of fuel and air. Without oxygen, gasoline or diesel fuels cannot burn properly and power the engine. The air filter’s job is to prevent dirt, dust and other debris from be-ing sucked into an engine. Otherwise, grime can build up and impede engine performance or cause erosion of parts under the hood.It is much more cost-effective to routinely change air filters than replace expensive engine parts. Rather than ignoring air filters until the last minute, drivers can take steps to keep filters clean and functioning at peak performance. •Improvefuelefficiency.Cloggedairfilters reduce air flow to engines, resulting in an improper ratio of air to fuel. As a result, spark plugs can be negatively affected and the engine may idle roughly or misfire. These scenarios can greatly affect fuel efficiency as well as cause engine deposits from rich fuel. To save money and trips to the fuel pump, replacefiltersregularly.AccordingtoGear-Heads, for older cars, studies have indicated that by replacing a dirty air filter, one can im-prove gas mileage by as much as 14 percent.

•Reducestressontheengine.Becauseofthe air-to-fuel mix in engines, even a mixture that is slightly off balance can affect what is going on under the hood. That means the engine must work harder to get enough clean air into the chamber to complete the combus-tion cycle, says the Automotive Training Cen-ter. •Enjoymorepower.Afilterthatissatu-rated with dirt will restrict air flow. In such instances, drivers may notice a lack of power during acceleration. Replacing the filter can easily restore that pep. •Reducevehicleemissions.Environmen-tal concerns are a priority for many people. By keeping the engine working properly, with the advantage of clean, unobstructed air entering the chamber, a vehicle may produce lower emissions.R eplacing air filters is an easy fix that many drivers can do themselves, or ask their mechanics to do during oil changes or other repair shop visits.

Why clean air filters are important

4 simple ways to extend the life of your vehicle

n n

How to recognize potential brake problems

Automobiles are signifi-cant investments. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for light vehicles was $34,968 in January 2017, marking a 3 percent increase from just a year earlier. The decision to spend tens of thousands of dol-lars on a new vehicle is not one consumers should take lightly. Once drivers purchase their new vehicles, they can protect their investments and get greater returns on those investments by prioritiz-ing maintenance and taking simple yet effective steps to extend the lives of their cars and trucks.

1. Drive defensively.Aggressive driving is danger-ous and can have adverse effects on a vehicle. When driving, always obey posted speed limits and avoid ac-celerating and decelerating quickly. Such a style of driv-ing can strain vehicle engines and drive trains while nega-tively affecting fuel efficiency and wearing down brakes, states the National Institute ofAutomotiveServiceExcel-lence.

2. Maintain a clean vehicle. Car washes do more than just clean a vehicle. Routine

washing and waxing can remove dirt that, if left on a vehicle, can gradually scratch paint and contribute to chips and rust. Over time, rust can affect vehicle performance and may even compromise the safety of drivers and their passengers if bad enough frame rust affects structural integrity. Routine washing also can remove road salt from vehicles. Salt can build up during winter when roads are routinely treated during and after snowstorms. Road salt can be extremely cor-rosive and, if left unremoved from a vehicle, can contribute to rust that ultimately can cause extensive damage to a vehicle.

3. Routinely check tire pres-sure. Many of today’s new vehicles alert drivers when tire pressure is low. Drivers should not ignore such warn-ings, as low tire pressure can affect engine performance by forcing it to work harder than should be necessary. Enginesthatareforcedtowork harder than they need to likely won’t last as long as those that run efficiently. Low tire pressure also negatively affects fuel efficiency, poten-tially costing drivers sub-stantial amounts of money

over time. Drivers of older vehicles without tire pressure alerts should routinely check tire pressure and keep tires adequately inflated. Vehicles that are slow to accelerate from resting positions may not have enough air in their tires.

4. Adhere to maintenance guidelines. Drivers may have heard that today’s vehicles were built to go longer periods of time between oil changes and tuneups than the vehicles of yesteryear. But drivers should still adhere to manufacturer-recommended maintenance guidelines. Upon buying new vehicles, drivers should read their owners’ manuals to determine recommended maintenance intervals, and stick to those intervals for as long as they have their vehicles. Cognizant of the sizable investments they’re making when buying new vehicles, many drivers want to get as many miles out of their vehicles as possible. Simple maintenance and safe driv-ing habits can go a long way toward keeping vehicles on the road for years to come.

Replacing air filters is an inexpensive way

to keep vehicles performing at peak capac-

ity.

Maintaining a vehicle is more than just a way to protect one’s financial invest-ment. Vehicle maintenence can protect against accidents and make the road safer for drivers and their passengers as well as their fellow motor-ists. Fully functioning brakes are an important component of automotive safety. In its 2015 Crash Stats report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that brake-related problems accounted for 22 percent of crashes where vehicular failure was cited as the cause of the collision. Bad brakes are particularly notorious for rear-end collisions. Faulty, worn brake lines, antilock brake system malfunctions and worn brake pads and discs are some potential brake problems. It is important that motorists learn to recognize the first symptoms of brake trouble so they can address issues before they put driv-ers, their passengers and other motorists at risk of accident or injury.

•Unusualnoises:Screeching, grinding, rub-bing, and high-pitched sounds are common indicators that brake pads, rotors and other parts of the braking system need atten-tion. Worn pads can cause damage to other vehicle

parts, resulting in more ex-pensive repairs if they’re not addressed promptly. •Pulling:Ifthecarpullsto one side when apply-ing the brakes, this may indicate brake pad linings are wearing down unevenly. A brake adjustment may be necessary. Pulling also may be indicative of an object or debris caught in the brake fluid. •Lessresponsive:Ifwhenpressing on the brake pedal the brakes just do not seem to be as effective as they once were, or it is necessary to press the pedal harder for the brakes to engage, there may be a brake fluid leak or an air leak. Check under the vehicle to see if any fluids are pooling.

•Pungentodors:Fires-tone Tire Company says a burning smell may be indica-tive of worn out brake pads and friction on the tires. Eachoftheseissuesrequireimmediate attention. •Vibrations:Certainvi-brations may indicate brake issues. Rotors can become warped from metal-on-metal rubbing, potentially leading to a failure of the vehicle to brake properly. Vibrations also may indicate tires are misaligned. These problems can be properly assessed by a trained mechanic. Do not let potential brake problems go unchecked. Keeping brakes in good working order helps drivers stop more readily and avoid collisions.

Drivers must address symptoms of a faulty braking

system early on to reduce their risk of accidents.

PAGE 4 THE EXPONENT, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018